Illinois vs. Donald Trump: Why it needed to happen

A Cook County Circuit Judge in Illinois has ruled to remove former US President Donald Trump from the state’s Republican presidential primary ballot, citing his alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol riots.

The decision, made by Judge Tracie Porter, follows a case brought forward by Illinois voters who argued that Trump should be disqualified from both the upcoming mid-March primary ballot and the November 5 general election ballot.

The basis of their argument revolves around Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, which they claim violated the anti-insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment.

Judge Porter’s ruling was temporarily delayed due to an unexpected appeal launched by Trump’s legal team. Illinois is now among a select few states seeking to disqualify the former president from appearing on both primary and general election ballots.

The legal rationale for banning Donald Trump from the ballot hinges on an interpretation of the 14th Amendment, particularly whether the events of January 6 constitute an insurrection. This issue has also reached the US Supreme Court, prompted by a similar case in Colorado.

The Supreme Court’s decision is anticipated soon, with expectations leaning towards a rejection of arguments supporting Trump’s disqualification.

Porter’s decision drew upon a prior ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court, which the US Supreme Court is likely to challenge. In her ruling, Porter acknowledged the significance of her decision and its impact on the upcoming Illinois elections.

The directive mandates the Illinois State Board of Election to remove Trump from the ballot for the General Primary Election on March 19, 2024, or nullify any votes cast for him. This ruling comes a month after a similar challenge was dismissed by the Illinois State Board of Elections due to jurisdictional constraints.

Illinois now joins Colorado and Maine as the third state attempting to prevent Trump from appearing on electoral ballots. The challenge was initiated by a group of voters aligned with Free Speech For People, a legal advocacy group that previously attempted unsuccessful challenges in Michigan, Minnesota, and Oregon.

The decision to remove Trump from the ballot underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding his alleged role in the January 6 riots and reflects efforts by some jurisdictions to hold individuals accountable for their actions, even after leaving office.